Turbine-engine



n F. PI MACH-Ano.

`TURBINE ENGINE. I APPLICATION FILED AUGJI?. 19m.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I- v Patented Nov. 3o, 1920.

A F. P. MACHADO.

TURBINE ENGINE.

APPLICATION PlLED'AuG.19. 1918.

1,360,305. I PAADAANOV. 30, 1920.

- g" ai J l w .I in?? TURBHNE ENGINE!" Armlcmwm man Mm. 19. ma.

. rammed Non 30, 1926.

5 sHEETsnsHEE 4.

'F. P. MACHAD.

TURBINE ENGINE. APPLlcAloN FILED wals. 191s.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

4UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FAUSTO PEPREIRA MACHADO, 0F NEW YORK, N. 'Y'.

TURBINE-ENGINE.

Application led August 19, 1918. Serial No.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FAUSTO PEDREIRA AoHADo, a citizen of the United States of Brazil, residing at 65 West 52nd street, city, county, and State of New York,J have invented new and useful Improvements in Turbine-Engines, of which the following is a spccication.

My invention relates to turbine engines and more particularly to turbines having steam as a motive agent, although it is tol be understood that other motive agents can be employed with equal success.

An object of my invention is to provide a reversible turbine which utilizes the pressure, the expansion, and the velocity of the steam in both directions.

another object of my invention is the prolvislon of a reversible turbine of the class' described, which is economical, simple in construction, and of maximum iefliciency.

A further object of my invention is the provision of means for controlling a plu rality of reversible turbines, and means associated therewith for automatically con.- trolling the inlet and exhaust nozzles of each turbine.

I will describe three forms of turbines and one controlling r 2ans for a plurality of turbimes, all embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereoil in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in vertical transverse section taken on the line I-I of Fig. 2 and looking in the v ,direction of the arrows, showing one form of turbine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. l, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail View of the controlling means for the turbine shown in Figs. 1 and 2; y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional View of the controlling means for the turbine shown in Figs. 1 and 2; l v

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing, in perspective, one form of vane lubricating roller-bearing embodying my invention;

Fig. 6 shows fragrrigntary, perspective views of three forms -)finodified vanes embodying my invention;

Fig. 7 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view taken on the line VII-V II of Fig. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows, show- Specication of Detters Patent.

Patented Nov. 30, 1920.

ing a modified form of turbine embodying my invention Fig. 8 is a view showing in side elevation one form of controllin means for a plurality of turbines embodying my invention;

Fig. 9 is. a view showing in top plan the controlling means shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 1s a view showing in end elevation, and partly in section, the controlling means shown in Figs. 8 and 9' Fig. 11 is a vertical, longitudinal, sectional view of the modified form of turbine, taken on the line XI-XI of FigA 7;

Fig. 12 :is a view similar to Fig. 11, taken on the line XII--XII of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 13 is a View showing in vertical, transverse section another form of turbine embodying my invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A designates -generally a single turbine engine comprising a stator S and a rotor R within the stator. The stator S, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted upon a suitable base B and spaced side plates 10 curved in opposite directions at their marginal edges to provide annular distributing channels 11 and 11, respectively. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the distributing channels 11 comprises a pair of and 10 which are section" and have their open sides arranged in confronting relation to each other. ning the open sides of the distributing chan- .nels 1l and 11l are rings 12 and 12, respec tively, which are substantially cross-section and have their flanged ends rest-ing upon the periphery of the side plates 10 and 10, as shown in Fig. 2. Interposed and spanning the space' between the rings 12 and 12a is an annulus 13 which is formed with transversely extending steam chests 14 and 14, 15 and 15, respectively. The steam chests 14 and 14a in turn communicate respectively with the distributing channels 11 and 11a through inlet ports 16 and 16, respectively, formed in the rings 12 and 12a. ecauseof communicating with steam nozzles y Span- T-shaped in B, the supply pipe 22 stems 18, which are threadedly mounted in bosses 19 and which extend exterior-ly of the stator S and are provided with wheels 2O operated by handles 21. It will be Vobvious from this arrangement that the valves 1T and 17a are opened or closed, according as the stems 18 are rotated in one direct/ion or the other.

As Shown, the steam chests 14 and 14: are circular in cross section and are substantially coextensive in width with the annulus 13. The nozzles v15 and 15 are, as shown in Fig. 2, of rectangular formation in cross-section, and are tapered from their inlet ends to their. outlet ends.A The nozzles 15 are arranged to drive the rotor R in one direction, while the nozzles 15a are arranged to drive the rotor R in thevopposite direction, and all of .the nozzles are adapted to be arranged at an angle which is most advantageous for securing the maximum energy from the lsteam. At diametrically opposite points on the'annulus 13, and between each pair of nozzles 15 and 15, the annulus 1s formed 'with exhaust ports E and E. Each exhaust ort E and E communicates with the rotor li and is provided with a horizontal bore, the inner end of which isrounded, as shown.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the top of the stator S is provided with a steam supply pipe 22, which communicates with pipes 23 and 23u connected to the distributing channels 11 and 11a, respectively. At the intersection of the pipes 22, 23, and 23, l provide a controlling cock 24 operated b v a handle 25, which, as shown in Fig. 4, is a three-wayl cock. The ports in the cock 24' are so arranged that when the cock occupies the normal position as shown in Fig. is disconnected from the pipes 23 and 23a. When the cock 24 is moved to the extreme right-hand position, communication is established between the -pipes 22 and 23, and when moved to the extreme left-hand position, communication is established between the pipes 23" and 22.

As shown in Fig. 2, the side plates 1t) and 10 are provided with axial openings in which is journaled a shaft 2G, suitable bearings being provided therefor to reduce the friction. Rigidly secured to the shaft 2G is the rotor lt, and as hereshown such rotor comprises a plurality of segmental sections 27, secured together in disc formation, the, peripheries of which are formed with flanges 28 to which is secured an annulus 2E). 'l`he 'annulus 29 is relatively wide and is internally threaded at its marginal edges to receive the threaded portions of rings 2K0. such rings heilig of L-shaped formation iu cross-section. and havingthcir outer edges contacting with the inner edges of the rings 12 and 12". rlo-form a steam-tight tit between the rotor R and the stator S, the side plates 10 and 10 are formed with circular recesses 31 for snugly receiving the rings ld.

Referring again to Fig. 1. V indicates an. outer series of vanes and V an inner series of vanes. The Yanes V are disposed radially of the rotor R, are formed on the periphery of the, annulus 29, are substantiall)Y coextensive in width with the annulus. and are spaced apart by arcuate grooves 32. The outer vanes V are secured to the rings Elu and span the space therebetween as shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, each vane comprises a linear blade il?) and an arcuale blade 31 disposed adjacent the base ol the vane and spaced apart a portion of its width to receive a lubricating roller bearing ilo. Each roller bearing 35 is coextcnsive in length with the width of the anuulus lil. the rings 30 being formed with recesses (not shown), for receiving the ends of the roller bearing, it being understood that the ends of the roller rest upon the inner edges of the rings 12 and 12". so that when passing the nozzles 15 and 15 they will not leave the rings 30. The roller bearing 35 is of anv suitable type and, as shown in Fig. 5. is of cylindrical formation to receive a lubricant. and is perforated to permit the lubricant. to see i out of the c vlinder and into contact with t ie inner peripheryv of the annulus lil. By this arrangement, the roller bearings :i5 materiall \7 reduce the friction between the rotor and the stator, and also 'form a steamtight fit to prevent leakage between the rotor and stator. which is found inl most turbines. lt will be understood, of course. that suitable means will be provided for replenishing the suppl)v of lubricant to the rollers. 'lhis may readily be accomplished. for instance, b v providing an opening through the side plates 10 and 10 in alinemcnt :it some point in the circular path of the rollers. and which opening may be closed by a suitable cap or plug. lt has not been deemed necessary to illustrate these openings herein, since it would seem to be such a simple and obvious matter.

As clearly shown in Fig. l. the vaues V are arranged between the vanes V to form a series of transversely extending ythroats or passagcways for causing the steam to take a sinuous or zig-Zag course throughout the circuinference of the rotor. as will bc hereinafter described.

'l`hc operation of the turbine is as follows:

With the valve 2-1- in the position shown in Fig. t. steam from the supply pipe 22 is admitted to the distributingchannel 1l through pipe 23. 'l`hc steam now traverses the distributing channel ll. and with the valves lT in tbe open position, as shown in Fig. 2. steam is admitted to the steam chests lil through ports 16. The steam passes from lltl ' port, so that the expansion the chests 14 into the nozzles 15 Where it impacts against the vane V to cause rotation of the rotor R. By virtue of the distributing channels 11 and valves 17, the velocity with which the steam enters the chests 14 is readily controlled,.and this control of the velocity of the steam permits the speed of the rotor t0 be varied at Will. Steam, upon entering chests 14, is distributed uniformly over substantially the entire Width of the rotor R before reaching the nozzles 15, 4and the noz zles 15 being of a corresponding width, the jetsv of steam emanating therefrom are caused to impact against the vanes of the rotor throughout their entire lengths. In thi"4 manner` a very eiiicient turbine engine is 0btained, because thesteam, being in v'contact with the vanes throughout their entire lengths, exerts its entire force upon such vanes at the most advantageous angle; and, further, because the steam is caused to expand in the nozzle itself before it reaches the vanes of the rotor R, thusmaterially aiding in the utilization of the entire expansive force of the steam.

As the steam leaves the nozzle 15, it impacts against the linear blade 33 of each vane V, `and then passes to the arcuate groove 32 next in advance, and' because of the shape of such groove, the steam is deflected against the vane V next in advance. It then strikes the next vane V. and so continues until it exhausts out of the ports E or E. It will thus be seen that the steam describes a sinuous or zig-zag path during its travel from one nozzle to its corresponding exhaust as well asgthe velocity of the steam is utilized to produce a turbine of high efficiency. The nozzles 15 are employed only when it is desired to` rotate the turbine forward. However. when it is desired to reverse the movement of the turbine, the nozzles 15a are employed. so that the steam impinges upon the rotor R in the reverse direction, as will be understood. During the reverse movement of the rotor R, the steam from Inozzles 15el first impacts against the curved blade 34, sliding off such blade, and then striking the linear blade 33, so that the steam again describes a zig-zag or sinuous path and thus completely utilizes the kinetic energy of the steam.

AlVith the rotor R. rotating continuously in one direction or the other, the roller bearings 35 are caused. by virtue of centrifugal force, to move radially Within the. vanes V so that they constantly bear against the inner surface of the annulus 13. irrespective. of' any irregularities in the surface thereof or any diametric play of the rotor; wherefore, a steam-tight fit is constantly maintained between the rotor R and the stator S. During rotation of the rotor R, each roller bearing 35 is also caused to rapidly rotate.

thus throwing out -the lubricant contained therein and thoroughly lubricating the surfaces Fof the rotor and stator.

One of the important features of my invention is the fact that, because lof the particular arrangement of the nozz1es'15 and 15a and the formation and arrangement o f the vanes V and V, I produce a turbine which is truly reversible and which develops substantially the same power in one direction as it does inthe other. Another important feature of my invention is the provision of the distributing channels 11 and 11, andthe means for controlling the velocity of the steam from the distributing channels to the steam chests 14.

In Fi 6 I have shown three modified forms o vanes V for use in conjunction with the rotor R. In F ig. 6, the vane V is of Usha`ped formation and its open side is adapted to be disposed outwardly of the rotor, so that its u er edge is disposed between the vanes The form shown in Fig. 6'). is tendingy groove 37, in which is dis osed a lubricating roller bearing 35. In 4ig.` 6c, I have shown an articulated vane V, which comprises a base bar 39 ot' U-shaped formation, and a vane portion 38, which is adjustably secured to the base bar by means of a pin 1() to allow vertical adjustment of the vane portion on the base and to thus effect a steam-tight fit between the rotor and stator.

Referring now to Figs. 7,11, and 12, I have here shown a modified form of turbine, indicated generally at A. This turbine comprises a stator S', which is identical to the stator S in the first form of my invention, with the exception' that the annulus 13 is provided with re-injection chambersC which communicate with the interior ofthe stator and which coact with other reinjection chambers formed on the confronting sides of the side plates 1() and 10al to )rovide two pairs of serpentine channels. tach pair of `channels extend from a point on the stator S adjacent the nozzles 15 to a point in advance of one of' the nozzles 15, As shown in Fig.` 7, each channel is tapered in crosssection Jfrom the inlet to the outlet end to provide serpentine channels df progres sively increasing dimensions, for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The chambers (`y are formed integral with the annulus 13, while the chambers C are formed with spaced plates 5l) and 50 secured to the inner faces of the' side plates 1() and 10H. The plate. 5l) of' each chamber is provided with a flange 51 which connects the two plates and forms' the inner side wall of the chamber, as shown in Fig. 11.

'lhe rotor Il differs from the rotor It of Fig. 1, in that the wheel portion thereof is cast integral, instead oi in sections. and the annulus 29, which is cast integral vwith the wheel portion, is formed with openings 52 provided witha longitudinally ex- `radially in opposite directions. passes through the throats 53 and 5l. and

to effect communication between chambers C and chambers C.

In this embodiment of my invention, the rotor is provided with three set-s of vanes, indicated at V', V2 and V3, respectively The vanes V are identical to the varies V of the turbine A, and the vanes V2 correspond to the vanes V of the turbine A, but are arranged `opposite to the vanes V and have both sides curved in the form of an arc so as to otfer the least resistance to the steam. These vanes V2 are also formed with grooves 37 to receive the roller bearings 35. The vanes V3 are tapered t 'ansversely lrom their outer edges to their inner edges and are interposed between the vanes V and V2 and in alternate relation thereto. By this ar- 'angement ot vanes, three series of transversely extending throats or passageways 53, 54, and 55, respectively, are provided. The throats 53 and 54 are opposite to each other and are formed by the vanes V and V2 in combination with vanes V3, while the throats 55 are disposed between each pair of throats and 54 and are formed by the coaetion of all of the vanes.

The operation of the turbine A is as follows:

lVith the valve 1T controlling the nozzles 15a open, and the valves 17 controlling the nozzles l5 closed, steam leaves the nozzles 15a and, passing to the vanes V and V. impacts against said vanes and then expands lt then impacts against the -vanes V3 until it reachesl the reinjection chamber C, which constitutes the smaller ends of the serpentine channels. The course of the steam is clearly indicated by arrows in Fig. 7. portion of the` steam enters said chamber C and the remaining steam continues to traverse the yanes in the manner just described. The steam which enters the small reinjeetion chamber traverses the same and returns to the rotor R', again impacting against the vancs V. etc. It then continues around the rotor. passing into the chambers (l next in advance, traverses the same and returns to the vanes V', etc. This action of the steam continues throughout the several chambers C and (l until all of the steam tinally exhausts out of the ports E and E.

In this form of the turbine. when operating in clockwise or reverse direction. a small proportion of the steam emerging from nozzle. l5 may have a tendency to exhaust through the adjacent internal channel (l. but because of the direction in which the steam is forced into the chamber formed between the rotor and the stator. almost. all

of thc steam will thus be prevented from being diverted into said channel C', since because of the close proximity ot the entrance to this channel C to the discharge end of the nozzle l5, the steam would have to make a very sharp turn in order to enter this channel, and therefore, while, as above stated, some steam will tend to escape through this channel, the larger part ot the st xam will follow the lines of least resistance, which will be in the general direction of' rotation otl the rotor. ln p 'actical use, it not necessary that the rotor shall develop the same power in the reverse direction as it does when rotating forward, and therefore the loss of steam because of the channels C would not be material.

lt will be manifest from the foregoing that a very efiicient turbine is obtained, inas much as the steam is reinjected at inter 'als by the chambers C and C to appreciably increase the action of the steam.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, I have here shown one means for controlling and actuating two or more reversible turbine engines of the type wherein the steam or other motive fluid traverses the entire rotor in either direction before exhausting. As shown in Figs. S and 9, T and T designate tw o turbines, of the type above referred to, which are connected in series for movement in either direction by means of pipesP. l, l". and P, through nozzles N and N. Steam is supplied to and exhausted from each turbine T and T b v mains of pipes ll and ll, the pipes H, P and H', l constituting pairs. the individual pipes of each pair entering the casing of turbine T at right angles to cach other and being in coinniunication at thc nozzles and respectively. The same is true of the pipes Il. PL' and ll. l"` of turbine '1" The pipes l'l and ll for turbine T ai'e connected at their confronting ends by a steam supply pipe K. v-ihich is connected to any suitable source of supply. while the pipes for turbine '1" are provided at their meeting ends with a coininon exhaust pipe L. The pipes P", l", P and 1"* and ll and ll are control-hal h v cocks` (l. (Y. etc.. and these cocks in turn are conti'olled by a connnon shaft M. The location and function of the cocks t). (Y. etc.. will be understood fi'oni a consideration of the operation of the entire mechanism. The shaft .\l is operatively connected to each cock 0 by means of worms (i. fixed to the shaft M and meshing with worm gears G fixed to the stems of the cocks O.

iy such an arrangement. all of the valves can be simultaneously moved to open or closed position. or vice versa. accordingr as the shaft )l is rotated in one direction oi' the other. Fixed to theopposite ends of th shaft M are wheels lV which carry handlesl Y for manipulating the shaft from either end. as will be understood.

Referring now to Fig. l0, I have here shown means torcontrolling the nozzles N and N so that, when one is serving as an 4shaft inlet and the other as an exhaust, the area of the inlet nozzle will be restricted sufficiently to produce a fine jet of steam for effectively propellingv the' turbine, while the exhaust nozzle is correspondingly enlar ed to permit the free and unrestricted ex aust of the steam. To obtain this end, I have, in the 'present instance, provided valves n and n for the nozzles N and N', each of which is in the form of a blade coextensive in length with the nozzle, and fixed to a pintle n2 for swinging movement. The valves n and n are simultaneously actuated by the shaft M throu h the medium of lgears Z, fixed to I as shown in Fig. 10 and on the pin tles n2, around which an endless chain 'n2 is trained.

The operation of the mechanism is as- -follows:.

T and T in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 9, the shaft M occupies the position shown in Fig. 8, wherein the valves O, O', O2 and Os O, and O7 are closed, while valves 'n and n occupy the reverse positions to those shown in F ig.-].Q. With the valves O in these positions, steam from pipe K is admitted to pipe H for turbine T passing into the turbine through nozzle and exhaustinthrough nozzle N. It then enters the pipe passes to pipe P2, and enters the turbine T throu h nozzle N. After traversing turbine T', t e steam exhausts through nozzle N and enters pipe H of turbine T and exhausts to the atmosphere through pipe L. When rotating the turbines in the o posite direction, the shaft M is rotated suliiciently to cause valves 0 to O7 to assume reversev positions, while the blades n and n are caused to assume the positions shown in Fig. 10. Wlth all of the valves occupying lthe `reyerse-positions, steam from pipe K enters prilpe H of turbine T passing through nozzle to turbine T. It then traverses turbine T exhausting through nozzle N into pipe P3. From pipe P3 it enters pipe P, traversing such plpe and enteringturbine T', through nozzle N', around the turbine and out through nozzle N into pipe H, exhausting to atmosphere through pipe L. l

From the foregoing description it Will be manifest that I have provided a simple and eiiicient means for controlling the supply of steam to two turbines connected in4 series for effecting the reversal of each turbine simultaneously, and that the nozzles for each turbine are automatically restricted or enlarged accordingr as the steam travels in one direction or the other through such turbines. Although I have shown and described means for controlling only two turbines, it is obvious that any number of turbines may be similarly controlled by multiplying the controlling means.

When it is desired to rotate the turbines i are open and the valves O", O5,

Referring now to Fi 13, I have here shown a turbine T2 Whic is a modification ofturbine T, and is identical to the same with the exception that the stator S2 is not formed with the reinjection chamber, and the inner wall t2 thereof i's tapered from one inlet nozzle l5 to the corresponding exhaust E or E', to provide a stator the inner surface of which is eccentric. Thepurpose of the eccentric stator is to provide s aces between the rotor R2 and the stator 2 which increase from each inlet nozzle 15 to the corresponding exhaust so that, du'ring'forward movement of the rotor, the steam entering'the nozzles is permitted to expand whereby the energy of the steam is more fully utilized than in turbines of the ordinar construction.

7hen the rotor R2 moves in the reverse direction, the eccentric formation of the stator S2 does not assist in utilizing the expan'sive force of the steam, as will'be ob# vious. However, in the particular use for which a turbine of this character is adapted, it is not necessary to secure the same power in the reverse movement as in the' forward 'movement of the rotor.

Although I have herein shown and described only three forms of turbines and one form of controlling means embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, and thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A. reversible turbine engine comprising a stator, a rotor in the stator, an inner circular series of radially disposed vanes formed on said rotor, said vanes being spaced apart and connected by arcuate curved portions, a second setof radially disposed vanes surrounding the first set, the vanes of the second set having one side thereof `curved toward their inner ends, the vanes of the inner set being arranged in altern-ate relation to the vanes of the outer set, and means for introducing la motive iuid radially of the rotor to effect rotation of said rotor in either direction.

2. A reversible turbine engine comprising a stator, and a rotor having an' inner set and outer set of radially di.c LJosed vanes, the outer set being arranged ii alternate rela tion to the inner set, and lubricating means 4. The combination with a reversible turbine having ports for admitting and eX- hausting a mot-ive fluid to and from a turbine in either direction, of means for reducing the area of each port according as it functions as. an intake and increasing the area of each port according as it functions as an exhaust.

5. The combination with a plurality of turbines, each having two ports for admitting and exhausting a motive Huid to and from the turbines in either direction, of means for reducing the area of either port according as they function as an intake and forincreasing the area ofeither port according as they function as an exhaust, and means controlling the last means for controlling the supply of the exhaust to either of said ports.

6. The combination with a pluralityoi` reversible turbines, each having ports for admittin g and exhaust-ing a motive fluid to and romthe turbines in either direction, of intersecting pipes connecting the ports of ad jacent turbines, valves for controlling the passage of a motive fluid through said pipes to eiect rotation of the turbines in either direction and means for reducing or increasing the areas of each o said ports according as the motive fluid traverses the turbine in one direction or the other.

7. A turbine comprising a rotor including an inner series of vanes and an outer series of Yanes, the 7anes of the outer series being formed with grooves, roller bearings mounted in said grooves, and a stator enveloping said rotor` said bearings being adapted to move radially upon rotation of said rotor to engage the inner 'all of said stator.

8. turbine comprising a rotor having a circular series of vanes thereon, a stator enveloping said rotor, and a lubricating roller bearing mounted in each of said Yanes for radial movement under the centrifugal action of the rotor for lubri;ating the contacting surfaces of the rotor and stator.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this spccication.

FAUSTO PEDREIRA MACHADO. 

